Localizing the main components of competencies in high-level managers based on health system evaluation indicators: Content analysis approach

Abstract

BACKGROUND:Managers play a key role in organizations. Competence of managers has become an important issue for organizations. This issue is very important for high-level managers in health-oriented organizations. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify and determine the components and analyze the core competencies of high-level managers in the field of health in medical sciences universities of the country, with the approach of content analysis.MATERIALS AND METHODS:This qualitative study was conducted using the content analysis method in 2023-2024. Data collection included retrieving documents from relevant databases. The studied population was high-level managers in the field of health promotion (presidents, vice presidents, university professors, and experienced human resource managers). For this purpose, semi-structured interviews were conducted with managers. The purposeful sampling method was chosen, and finally, the sampling was continued until the saturation time. The interview text was analyzed and the opinions of experts were included to extract key concepts and categorize them into main topics using 12 MAXQDA software. Finally, the Delphi technique was used to determine the components of the main competencies of high-level managers of Iranian medical sciences universities.FINDINGS:In this study, after analyzing the content of the interviews, 5 dimensions of the main components, including managerial competencies, perceptual competencies, personality (individual) competencies, communication competencies, and moral competencies were determined. Also, the results of MAXQDA software identified 30 components for 5 dimensions.CONCLUSION:Considering the key role of universities in the development of various ecosystems, it is considered very important to pay attention to the competencies of managers who are at the top of decision-making in medical sciences universities. Identifying, localizing, and determining the main and core components of competencies in high-level managers can be used as a tool to select health system managers based on these competencies. This choice can take steps towards improving the level of health and health education and adopting appropriate health policies in this field, the efficiency of the health system and the quality effectiveness of the management of medical sciences universities.